Saturday night, the House of Representatives voted 231-192 to provide the funds necessary to fund the federal government while delaying and de-funding the Obamacare law for one year. The measure also includes strong pro-life safeguards.

The House approved amendments to H.J. Res 59, the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2014, which included a repeal of the medical device tax as well as a one year delay in Obamacare.

The measure also includes the Blackburn amendment, which delays taxpayer subsidies for insurance plans that include elective abortion by delaying implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) until January 2015. Section 131(a) delays implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for one year. This would mean that the taxpayer subsidies for Obamacare insurance plans that include elective abortion would be delayed for one year, and the abortion surcharge and secrecy clause would also be delayed for one year.

The Blackburn amendment also delays the HHS preventive services mandate for one year for religious and moral objectors. The HHS abortion mandate compels religious groups to pay for birth control and drugs that may cause abortions and has been the subject of dozens of lawsuits, including from the Hobby Lobby craft company. The last sentence of section 131(a) specifically delays the HHS preventive services mandate for one year with regard to employers and individuals who have a moral or religious objection to such coverage.

The issue of continuing appropriations now returns to the Senate with this amendment and another amendment regarding the medical device tax.

Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) commented on the bill’s passage.

“House Republicans have acted in a responsible manner to provide the American people with what they want – a continuing resolution that prevents a government shutdown, controls spending, and protects families and businesses from the harmful effects of Obamacare,” Blackburn said. “By delaying Obamacare for one year, the House has shown we are listening to the American people who never wanted this law in the first place. Overwhelmingly, our constituents have told us that they want us to delay the onset of Obamacare. It’s too expensive to afford, families can’t keep the insurance plan they like, and it’s killing jobs. It’s become painfully clear that Obmacare is not ready for primetime and in fairness to hardworking Americans the entire law must be delayed. Now it’s time for the Senate to act.”

She added: “In addition to delaying Obamacare for one year, my amendment protects people from the radical HHS mandate which violates millions of Americans’ deeply-held religious beliefs and it prevents taxpayer subsidies from going to insurance plans that include elective abortion coverage.”

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said his organization strongly supported the amendment and Obamacare delay.

“Conservatives in the House and Senate have stood firm against ObamaCare and are supported by the majority of Americans which oppose it. They understand this law threatens Americans health care through increased premium costs, government rationing, but will also force Americans to subsidize health plans with elective abortion and already directly violates the Americans religious freedoms,” he said.

He continued: “The House amendment to be added to the CR today is not what Americans wanted, which is defunding ObamaCare. We realize Republicans in the House of Representatives take seriously the dire implications of ObamaCare going into effect which will put families, faith, and freedom at risk. Therefore, we support this compromise amendment to delay Obamacare with its cost increases, rationing and abortion subsidies, and support the addition of religious freedom protections. However, we will continue to work to fully repeal this disastrous law.”

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